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Midlands Reporter
A 41-year-old man from Gweru will spend eight months in prison for growing mbanje.

Lungisani Ncube, who resides at Farm 14 in Lower Gweru, was sentenced to 12 months in prison by Gweru magistrate Ms Judith Taruvinga, but four months were conditionally suspended. In passing the sentence, Ms Taruvinga said Ncube had no right to cultivate mbanje as he had no licence to do so.

“You cultivated those plants knowing very well that you had no right to do so, therefore, you acted unlawfully,” she said.

“You are hereby sentenced to 12 months in prison, four months are set aside on condition of good behaviour.” The court heard that on January 6, 2018, police received a tip-off that Ncube was cultivating and selling mbanje.

Police raided Ncube’s farm and found 24 plants of mbanje, which were 1,5 metres tall. Police also recovered 8kg of weed at his home, leading to his arrest.